Wall Street Lunch: Big Short Burry Closes Scion Asset Management, Citing Market Disconnect

Group 1: Michael Burry and Scion Asset Management - Michael Burry has wound up his hedge fund, Scion Asset Management, shortly after betting against the AI trade [2][3] - Burry's letter to investors indicated a misalignment between his valuation of securities and market conditions, leading to the liquidation of funds by year-end [3] - Scion disclosed bearish positions in Nvidia and Palantir, with Burry warning about inflated AI valuations and creative accounting practices in the tech sector [3][4] Group 2: Disney's Financial Performance - Disney's stock is declining due to weaknesses in its traditional TV and film businesses, overshadowing growth in streaming and parks [5] - Analysts predict that Disney's results will be impacted by significant costs in the first quarter, including $150 million in pre-opening costs and $400 million from tough theatrical comparisons [6] - Despite challenges, Disney announced a 50% increase in its dividend and plans to double share buybacks to $7 billion by fiscal 2026 [7] Group 3: Broader Market Trends - The Nasdaq index is experiencing a decline of 2%, with major tech stocks like Tesla and Palantir also falling [5] - The AI theme in the market may lead to a reduction in stock buybacks, as companies focus on capital expenditures and face tighter financial conditions [10][12] - Nomura strategist suggests that a potential reacceleration of growth and inflation could lead to a "de facto Fed tightening," impacting market dynamics [11]